Deep Space SocialSpace

Apply to join some of world’s top experts in deep-space communications and help us to inaugurate a new tracking antenna in Australia at a SocialSpace event on 10–11 February.

ESA is inviting social media followers to join us at the official inauguration of a new satellite-tracking antenna as part of a special social media event in New Norcia, Western Australia.

The programme will include briefings on current and future planetary missions, deep-space communications, ground station engineering and next-generation lasers-in-space technology.

Deep Space SocialSpace is being held in conjunction with the inauguration of the new 4.5 m-diameter antenna at New Norcia, the site of ESA’s existing 35 m deep-space dish, which routinely communicates with missions such as Rosetta, Mars Express, Gaia and LISA Pathfinder.

The programme will include a hands-on, behind-the-scenes guided tour of the 35 m tracking facilities, the control rooms and the station site, as well as presentations and briefings from European and Australian experts.

New Norcia is about 140 km from the city of Perth; bus transport to/from Perth will be provided.

Dates and venue

Deep Space SocialSpace will be held on 10–11 February at the ESA Education Room at the New Norcia Monastery; Day 2 will include an excursion to the ESA tracking station.

To apply

Be sure to include your name, social media name(s) and contact information, and a few words with your motivation or interest in joining. Selected applicants will receive an email with a formal invitation no later than 29 January.

Applications may be submitted for one person only and are non-transferable. Please do not submit multiple applications. All applicants must be at least 18 years old on 10 February 2016.

WiFi access (with some geographical limitations), transfer between New Norcia and Perth, and meals on 11 February will be provided. Any other travel, accommodation or miscellaneous expenses are up to individual invitees. The event will be held in English.

The application period closes on 28 January at 11:00 GMT - 12:00 CET - 20:00 AWST.

Selection and invitations

Once all applications have been reviewed, an invitation email with confirmation information and additional instructions will be sent to the selected participants and to those on the waiting list no later than 29 January. We will keep you posted of progress.

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